Hi
I think I might be asking too much but we'll see!
I've been researching the Burgoyne family of Cambs/Herts and came across George Burgoyne of Quickswood Manor, Cothall which led me on to this:
The 6th Earl (1713-1780) was a spendthrift rake who was satirized by Pope and Hogarth for acting as coachman on the public coach between London and Hatfield.
Although the Earls of Salisbury had their main residence at Hatfield House, they also owned a substantial mansion at Quickswood just outside Baldock. The sixth Earl, known as "the wicked Earl", lived there as a recluse with his mistress, Mary Grave, and their seven illegitimate children.
This relationship had begun before his marriage in 1745 and, within a few years, he had separated from his wife who went to live in London with their legitimate son and daughters. A visitor described the Earl: "he lives upstairs surrounded by old trunks and boxes and scattered books. Well or ill, he never quits his chamber, never sees or converses with any but his old Dame as he calls her and his physician who occasionally visits him. The servants are old and rusty like the dwelling".
In 1780 the Earl died and his only legitimate son inherited the title. He demolished Quickswood and disposed of the land presumably because it was such an unpleasant reminder of his father's scandalous behaviour. Mary Grave came to reside at the Manor House in Baldock. She was well provided for as she received £50,000 plus jewellery, silver and furniture from Hatfield House. Their children received a further £43,000. These bequests were unsuccessfully contested by the seventh Earl.
Mary Grave had purchased the Manor House in Baldock for £800 back in 1769 and expanded the grounds by buying land through to Clothall Road. We can catch a glimpse of her lifestyle through the items she left in her will. There was the silver chocolate pot from which she would have poured her drinking chocolate as she sat on the yellow damask settee. The clock, which stood in an alcove on the staircase, was precious enough to be mentioned specifically.
Mary Grave lived there until her death in 1789. The Gentleman's Magazine recorded it as follows: "GRAVE: At Baldock, after a lingering illness, Mrs Grave, the well known favourite of the late Lord Salisbury and mother of the late rector of Hatfield and Clothall".
The public openness of Mary Grave's relationship extended to giving their children the Earl's family name, Cecil, as a middle name. In addition, he bestowed the livings of two churches on his sons: William Cecil Grave was rector of Hatfield and Thomas Cecil Grave was rector of Clothall.
James Cecil Grave inherited the Manor House from his mother and lived there until his death in 1820. A memorial in Clothall church commemorates the three brothers.
A further memorial in Baldock church commemorates James, his wife Elizabeth, daughter Mary Cecil Cowell and her husband John Cowell. It was Mary who inherited the Manor House and lived there until just before her death in 1832.
I am also related to James Cecil but can only find limited information about his children by Mary Grave ie James Cecil Grave on IGI and his marriage and baptism of Mary Cecil Grave, his daughter.
Does anyone know anything more about James & Mary Grave?
David
